Reclosable dispensing container with buckle lock



Filed Oct. 12, 1955 0d. 1o, 1967 s R, KOOLMS 3,346,165

RECLOSABLE DISPENSING CONTAINER WITH BUCKLE Loox 2 Sheets-Sheet l B1 @iQQ? frane/wry Oct. l0, 1967 s.- R.v KooLNls l 3,346,165

RECLOSABIJE DISPENSING CONTAINER 4WITH BUCKLE LOCK Filed Oct. l2, 1965 2Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent O 3,346,165 RECLOSABLE DISPENSINGCONTAINER WITH BUCKLE LOCK Stanley R. Koolnis, New York, NY., assignorto Lee Drechsler, Palisades, and Fred' Zandell, New York,

Filed Oct. 12, 1965, Ser. No. 495,272 Claims. (Cl. 229-17) ABSTRACTTI-IE DISCLOSURE This invention relates generally to containers, and isespecially concerned with a unique box construction adapted fordistribution of premiums.

As is well known to those versed in marketing, the distribution ofpremiums, say in the form of cash refund, or otherwise, is a highlydesirable sales incentive. However, practical diiculties have beenencountered in conventional modes of premium distribution, as byexternal attachment to the container of a premium or redeemable coupon,in that the premiums or coupons are frequently removed before the goodsreaches the ultimate purchaser. Merely placing the premium or coupon inthe contents of the` container is not always sanitary, aften results ininadvertent loss by the user, or presents invonvenience in redemption.

Accordingly, it is an important 'object of the present invention toprovide a container construction for direct distribution of premiumswhich overcomes the abovementioned difficulties, effectively protectsthe premium from inadvertent loss at any time or unauthorized removalprior to ultimate sale, affords separation of the premium from thecontents of the container, and assures easy and convenient removal bythe ultimate purchaser.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a boxconstruction having the advantageous characteristics mentioned in thepreceding paragraph, which may be economically manufactured, set up andfilled -by existing equipment, conveniently shipped and stored in aflat, knocked-down condition for economy of space, and which provides astaunch and sturdy container of neat and attractive appearance adaptedto be manufactured and employed at a reasonable cost.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a` containerconstruction of the type described which permits of quick andeasy'opening to deiine a dispenser for the contentsy of the container,and which may be readily and repeatedly reclosed Iand reopened, asdesired.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon readingthe following specitication and referring to the accompanying drawings,which form a material part of thi-s disclosure.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction,combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts, which will beexemplified in-the construction hereinafter described, and of which thescope will be indicated by the appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIGURE l is a plan View showing a blank for a container in accordancewith the teachings of the present. invention;

. FIGURE 2 is a top perspective view showing a com- 3,346,165 PatentedOct. 10, 1967 ICC pleted box of the present invention in its closedcondition;

FIGURE 3 is a lperspective View similar to FIGURE 2, but illustratingthe box in an open condition;

FIGURE 4 is a partial sectional View taken generally along the line 4-4of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged partial perspective view illustrating the openedbox of FIGURE 3 in a reclosed condition; f

FIGURE 6 i-s a sectional view taken generally along the line 6 6 ofFIGURE 5;

FIGURE 7 is a partial sectional view taken generally along the line 7-7of FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged partial'plan view lof a blank for formation intoa box of the present invention; illustrating a premium associatedtherewith; and

FIGURE 9 is a partial sectional View illustrating removal of the premiumfrom the instant box.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, and specifically toFIGURE 1 thereof, a blank is there generally designated 20, adapted tobe formed into the container of the instant invention. The lblank 20 mayadvantageously be formed of paper board or other suitably stili,bendable material, being generally rectangular in overall outlineconfiguration, and cut and scored to de connected to the-panel 21 by thefold line 28, being longitudinally coextensive therewith, and is boundedat one end by a fold line 29 in longitudinal extension lof fold line 27.At the other end, panel 22 is bounded by an edge 30 in longitudinalextension of fold line 26; and, a longitudi" nal fold line 31 extendsbetween the ends of fold 29 and edge 30 parallel to fold line r28.

The panel 23 is hingedly connected to the panel 22 by fold line 31,being longitudinally coextensive therewith, and is bounded at itsopposite ends by a foldline 32 in longitudinal extension of fold line29, and a fold line 33 in longitudinal extension of edge 30..'I`he otherside of panel 23 is bounded by a fold line 34 extending between adjacentends of fold lines 32 and 33, in parallelism with fold line 31. v

The remaining panel 24 is hingedly connected to panel 23 by fold line 34and is bounded at its opposite ends by fold lines 35 and 36 respectivelylongitudinal extensions of fold lines 32 and 33. A side fold line orscore 37 extends between adjacent ends of fold lines 35 land 36 inparallelism with fold line 34.

vThe panels 21 and 23 may be generally congruent to provide facing,spaced front and back walls, as will appear presently, while the panels22 and 24 may be: generally congruent to define side panels or walls ofthe erected container.- In addition, a glue flap 38 is hingedlyconnected to and longitudinally coextensive with the fold line 37 ofpanel 24. Thus, upon swinging of the panels 21, 22, 23 and 24 abouttheir hinged connections, the glue flap 38 may be ladhesively secured toedge 25. u

vExtending from the end fold 27 of panel 421 is an end panel 40, whichmay be of generally rectangular outline configuration. The end panel 40is bounded within the fold line 27, parallel edges 41 and 42 extendingfrom opposite ends 0f the fold line 27, and an edge 43 extendthe panel21 along 3 fold line 27. The edge 43 may be provided with a halfmooncutout or notch 44.

A panel 46, of generally rectangular outline configuration similar tothat of panel 40, may extend from fold line 26. The panel 46 is boundedwithin the fold line 26, edge 47 extending from one end of fold line 26in alignment with edge 25, edge 48 extending from the end of edge 47generally parallel to fold line 26, and fold line 49 extending from edge48 to fold line 26 in alignment with fold line 28. The edge 48 may beprovided with a semicircular cutout 50, similar to the cutout 44, and anopening 51 may be formed in the panel 46 spaced within the boundsthereof and adjacent to fold line 49, as for retaining a premium and/ orproviding a dispensing outlet, as will appear more fully hereinafter.

Extending from the fold line 49, coextensive therewith, is an extensionor fiap 53. The extension 53 extends along edge 30 of panel 22,terminating generally medially of edge 30. A flap 54 extends from theopposite end score 29 of panel 22.

Extending from fold line 32 of panel 23 is a generally rectangular panel55, similar to overall configuration to panel 40. The panel 55 isbounded within fold line 32, a pair of fold lines 56 and 57 extendingfrom opposite ends of fold line 32 in respective alignment with foldlines 31 and 34, and an edge 58 extending between outer ends of foldlines 56 and 57 generally parallel to fold line 32. In addition, a pairof glue tabs, such as Van Buren ears 59 and 60 extend respectively fromfold lines 56 and 57.

A generally rectangular panel 62 extends from the opposite fold line 33of panel 23, and is generally of an outline configuration similar tothat of panel 46. The panel 62 is bounded Within the fold line 33, apair of parallel fold lines 63 and 64 extending from opposite ends ofthe fold line 33 in respective alignment with fold lines 31 and 34, andan edge 65 extending between fold lines 63 and 64 generally parallel tofold line 33. Extending from the fold line 63 is a ap 66, providing apull flap in the finished container, as will appear presently. The ap 66may be coextensive with the fold line 63 `and extend toward theextension 53. Further, the flap 66 may be formed with a medial fold line67 in parallelism with the fold line 63, and provided with a generallysemicircular cut 68 extending from the fold line 67 toward the fold line63. That is, the convex side of the cut 68 is toward the fold line 63.The cut 68 and fold 67 combine to define a tab 69.

Formed in the panel 62, extending inwardly from the fold line 63 are apair of generally parallel lines of weakness or perforation, while afold line or score 72 extends between the inner ends of the perforatelines 70 and 71. As will appear more fully hereinafter, the portion 73of panel 62 bounded within fold lines 63 and 72, and perforate lines 70and 71, is severable along the perforate lines 70 `and 71 for swingingmovement about the fold line 72.

At the opposite end of panel 62, extending from fold line 64, is anadditional glue tab or Van Buren ear 75. Also, a pair of flaps or tabs76 and 77 extend from respective fold lines 35 and 36 of panel 24.

In addition to the above-described cuts and scores of blank 20, onesurface of panel 46, the exposed surface in FIGURE l, is provided in aregion adjacent to opening 51, with a layer or coating of varnish, as at78, or other suitably smooth, relatively impervious material. The coatedregion 78 may be spaced inward from fold line 26 and edge 48, extendinginward from fold line 49 to and beyond opening 51. If desired, thecoated region 78 may have one or more uncoated spots, as at 79. Theextension 53, on the surface exposed in FIGURE 1, may also be coatedwith varnish or other suitable material, and may be provided with one ormore uncoated spots, as yat 80. An additional region 81 of panel 22 maybe similarly coated with varnish or the like, the region 81 extendingfrom edge 30 inward a short distance, being spaced from fold lines 28and 31.

CII

The above-described blank 20 may be provided with adhesive on flap 38,and folded to secure flap 38 to panel 21 along edge 25. In this flat,folded condition the glued blank may be conveniently stored and shipped,ready for setup and filling operations.

Box erection is achieved by applying adhesive or glue to theundersurfaces of panel 55 with its adjacent ears 59 and 60, theundersurfaces of panel 62 with its adjacent flap 66 and ear 75, and theundersurface of extension 53, all as seen in FIGURE 1.

The box 8S of FIGURE 2 may then be erected by initially folding theflaps 54 and 76 inwardly, thence folding the panel 40 inwardly over thefiaps 54 and 76, and then folding the panel 55 into facing adhesivelysecured engagement with the panel 40. The ears 59 and 60 are folded intofacing adhesively secured engagement with the adjacent portions ofpanels 22 and 24. Thus, panels 21, 22, 23 and 24 define peripheral sidewalls, panels 21 and 23 defining the back and front walls, while panels22 and 24 define the side walls.

The upper end or top wall, generally designated 86, of the box 85, isformed by swinging panel 46 inward over flap 77 and folding extension 53downward along side wall 22. The panel 62 is then folded inward overpanel 46, and the ear 75- and ap 66 folded downward along respectiveside walls 24 and 22.

By the coating applied to regions 78, 53 and 81, adhesive is not firmlyeffective, but rather provides a detachable or readily frangibleadhesive securement. Thus, when the extension 53 is swung downward overthe adjacent portion of side wall 22, only the outer Side portions ofextension 53 are firmly secured to the side wall 22, the intermediateregion of extension 53 overlying coated region 81 being relatively freeof the side wall 22. Similarly, when the adhesive-coated underside ofpanel 62 is swung into overlying facing engagement with panel 46, theseverable portion 73 of panel 62 overlies the coated region 78 of panel46 and is only frangibly secured to the latter. The spot securementachieved at spot 79 may be relatively firm, but readily manuallydetachable. Also, the adhesive-coated underside of flap 66 is onlydetachably secured in its facing engagement with extension 53, the spots80` affording firm but detachable securement by manual pulling of theflap. As best seen in FIGURE 4, the flap 66 is bent into facingengagement with the extension 53, but spaced from the wall 22, so thatthe end of the flap remains free of the side wall and provides a fingerpull.

Thus, it is only necessary to grasp the free end of flap 66 to detachthe adhesive securement of the flap, and upon continued pulling, effectseverance along weakened lines 70 and 71 to swing the portion 73 awayfrom opening 51, the condition illustrated in FIGURE 3. This thenexposes the opening 51 and permits the latter to function as a pouringor dispensing outlet. Reclosure is most conveniently and effectivelyachieved by returning the portion 73 to its position in closing relationwith and over the opening 51 and engaging the semicircular flap portion69 between the intermediate portion of extension 53 and adjacent portionof side wall 22. This condition is illustrated in FIGURES 5, 6 and 7.

In addition to the unique dispensing function of the container ydescribed hereinbefore, the opening 51 may serve to receive a coin,token, or other premium 87, see FIGURES 8 and 9. The premium 87 may beremovably retained in the opening 51 by any suitable means, as by adiametral tie y88 extending across the opening, which facilitatesremoval of the premium, as illustrated in FIG- URE 9.

From the foregoing, it is seen that the present invenposes of clarity ofunderstanding, it is understood that certain changes and modificationsmay be made within the spirit of the invention and scope of the appendedclaims.

What is claimed is:

1. A Ibox construction comprising front, back and side walls hingedlyconnected together; a bottom wall extending between the lower ends ofsaid front, back and side walls, and a top wall extending between theupper ends of said front, back and side walls; said top wall comprisingan inner panel extending from one toward the other of said front andback walls; said inner panel having an opening adjacent to one sidewall; an outer panel extending from the other wall toward said one ofsaid front and back walls and overlying said inner panel in closingrelation with said opening; and adhesive means rmly securing said innerand outer panels together except in a region adjacent to said opening;said outer panel being formed with a severable portion over said openingand said region for movement of said portion away from and exposing saidopening; detachable adhesive means detachably securing said severableportion to said region; a pull flap extending from said severableportion beyond said one side wall; an extension on one side of saidinner panel depending along said one side wall, additional adhesivemeans securing spaced portions of said extension to said one side wallto leave an intermediate portion of said extension free of said sidewall, said pull ap being bendable downwardly to overlie said extension,and an inwardly extending catch tab on said pull flap removablyengageable between said intermediate extension portion and said one sidewall.

2. A box construction according to claim 1, in combination withadditional detachable adhesive means detachably securing said pull flapin overlying relation with said extension.

3. A box construction according to claim 1, in cornbination with apremium carried in said opening.

4. A box construction according to claim 1, said detachable adhesivemeans comprising a relatively impervious layer on one facing surface,and adhesive interposed between said layer and the other facing surface.

5. A box construction according to claim 3, wherein said detachableadhesive means detachably secure said severable portion to said regionexcept in a second region adjacent to said premium.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS l1,793,073 2/1931 Field et al229-17 1,956,238 4/1934 Jackson 229-17 2,336,706 12/ 1943 Sunderhauf229-17 2,473,492 6/ 1949 Shina 229-17 2,812,127 11/ 1957 Graybill 229-173,096,922 7/ 1963 Graybill 229-17 3,180,553 4/ 1965 Schreiber et al.229-17 3,270,941 9/1966 Barnes 229-17 JOSEPH R. LE-CLAIR, PrimaryExaminer.

D. T. MOORHEAD, Assistant Examiner.

1. A BOX CONSTRUCTION COMPRISING FRONT, BACK AND SIDE WALLS HINGEDLYCONNECTED TOGETHER; A BOTTOM WALL EXTENDING BETWEEN THE LOWER ENDS OFSAID FRONT, BACK AND SIDE WALLS, AND A TOP WALL EXTENDING BETWEEN THEUPPER ENDS OF SAID FRONT, BACK AND SIDE WALLS; SAID TOP WALL COMPRISINGAN INNER PANEL EXTENDING FROM ONE TOWARD THE OTHER OF SAID FRONT ANDBACK WALLS; SAID INNER PANEL HAVING AN OPENING ADJACENT TO ONE SIDEWALL; AND OUTER PANEL EXTENDING FROM THE OTHER WALL TOWARD SAID ONE OFSAID FRONT AND BACK WALLS AND OVERLYING SAID INNER PANEL IN CLOSINGRELATION WITH SAID OPENING; AND ADHESIVE MEANS FIRMLY SECURING SAIDINNER AND OUTER PANELS TOGETHER EXCEPT IN A REGION ADJACENT TO SAIDOPENING; SAID OUTER PANEL BEING FORMED WITH A SEVERABLE PORTION OVERSAID OPENING AND SAID REGION FOR MOVEMENT OF SAID PORTION AWAY FROM ANDEXPOSING SAID OPENING; DETACHABLE ADHESIVE MEANS DETACHABLY SECURINGSAID SEVERABLE PORTION TO SAID REGION; A PULL FLAP EXTENDING FROM SAIDSEVERABLE PORTION BEYOND SAID ONE SIDE WALL; AN EXTENSION ON ONE SIDE OFSAID INNER PANEL DEPENDING ALONG SAID ONE SIDE WALL, ADDITIONAL ADHESIVEMEANS SECURING SPACED PORTIONS OF SAID EXTENSION TO SAID ONE SIDE WALLTO LEAVE AN INTERMEDIATE PORTION OF SAID EXTENSION FREE OF SAID SIDEWALL, SAID PULL FLAP BEING BENDABLE DOWNWARDLY TO OVERLIE SAIDEXTENSION, AND AN INWARDLY EXTENDING CATCH TAB ON SAID PULL FLAPREMOVABLY ENGAGEABLE BETWEEN SAID INTERMEDIATE EXTENSION PORTION ANDSAID ONE SIDE WALL.